Security & Communication Articles, Stories & News

Adam Bannister for IFSEC Global: Polling the views of hundreds of installers, IFSEC Global found that 92% saw the ‘smart home’ – whereby lighting, heating, alarms and other household functions are interconnected and remotely controlled via smartphone or PC – as a potential area for diversification.

No surprise, then, that almost as many – 88% – would be more likely to attend IFSEC International if a dedicated home automation zone were introduced.

“In the top end of the market, people are spending hundreds of thousands on smart home technology,” write one installer who completed the survey. “There are a few cheap end products out there, but the most important factor here is that products can be retro-fitted and not too expensive.

“It would be great to see a security system that integrates as one package. As far as we are aware this does not exist. We’ve been trying to push the home automation side, but are still seeking the right product.”

A similar proportion – 86% – would visit if an area dedicated to ‘smart buildings’ – essentially the same concept applied to commercial premises – area were launched.

Which is indeed what is happening, on both fronts: for the first time IFSEC International will feature a dedicated Smart Zone for its 2016 edition, comprising a replica ‘smart home’ fitted out with the latest home automation innovations from top exhibitors including Y3K, Lilin and Control 4. Cont'd...

"For the most cost-conscious jobs, installers can confidently spec PRIMAL as the lowest-priced line of category and speaker cables on the residential market that still meet stringent UL, ETL and NEC safety standards," says ICE Cable Systems president Brian Rizzo

Yomiuri Telecasting Corporation (YTV) has deployed a new Riedel Communications Artist digital matrix intercom system at its Osaka broadcast facilities to improve communications supporting production of programming including the popular Japanese variety show "Miyane-ya." Installed as part of an ongoing upgrade of YTV's control rooms, the new Artist system in the Studio 3 control room provides the robust communications functionality needed to manage internal signals and audio contribution from a wide variety of external sources.

Big Mouth includes six spacious interior and exterior pockets for storage, is made with water-resistant canvas construction with nylon stitching for durability, and collapses flat for storage when not in use.

By Aaron Baar for MediaPost: Although they have been tagged as one of the bright spots for the coming year in the consumer electronics sector, makers of smart home devices need to be concerned about user-friendliness if they want them to truly take off.

According to a survey conducted by support.com, which provides tech support and support center services, nearly a third (31%) of smart home system owners struggle with the complexity of setup. In addition, 43% of potential smart home device buyers are concerned about how complex setting up the system might be.

“Complexity is starting to impede adoption,” Alex Polous, Support.com’s vice president of marketing, tells Marketing Daily. “If we want to increase adoption, we need to look at the user experience and not just the flashy features.”

Still, 37% of current smart home device owners installed the devices themselves, and 61% want to attempt to fix the issues on their own. Providers, then, should offer an array of support options for different customers and for different stages of ownership, he says. Cont'd...

Security & Communication - Featured Product

The new Yale Real Living™ Assure Lock™ with Bluetooth replaces conventional keys with digital keys accessed through the Yale Digital Keys app for Android and iOS mobile devices, and through an app for the new Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch. The Yale app allows homeowners to unlock doors, send keys to others, control when others have access, get a message when someone enters, and revoke a digital key at any time. Unlocking the deadbolt couldn't be simpler, whether using the Samsung Gear S2 or a smartphone. With the new Samsung Gear S2, touch the watch app to activate the digital key, then touch the lock screen to unlock the deadbolt. With a smartphone, Yale's "Twist and Go" technology allows the user to hold the phone vertically when approaching the door, then twist it 90 degrees to unlock the deadbolt. Homeowners can also unlock the deadbolt using its capacitive touchscreen and a four- to eight-digit code.